Dumplings in Wonju, Gimbap in Gimcheon, Tteokbokki in Daegu... Festivals Await This Weekend [Nationwide Edition]

Starting on the 24th, the fourth weekend of October will see festivals taking place all across the country. There will be an abundance of food, sights, and entertainment for everyone to enjoy.

▲Gimcheon Gimbap vs. Daegu Tteokbokki vs. Wonju Dumplings: The Street Food Battle

The Gimcheon Gimbap Festival (October 25-26), which garnered nationwide attention after its debut last year, will be held at Jikji Culture Park and Samyeongsa Park in Gimcheon City. The festival features three Gimbap Zones (Premium Gimbap Zone, Unique Gimbap Zone, and Event Zone) and offers creative gimbap-making, local and unique gimbap tasting, and hands-on programs for all ages. Formalities such as congratulatory speeches, welcome addresses, and VIP introductions have been eliminated, with the festival starting right away.

The 5th Daegu Tteokbokki Festival (October 24-26), a signature food event in Daegu, will take place at iM Bank Park (formerly the Citizens’ Stadium). The festival is organized into several sections: the Tteokbokki Zone, where visitors can taste tteokbokki from across the country; the Tteokbokki Traveling Cart, featuring performances and games; Ppogi Land, an amusement ride area; and the nostalgic roller skating rink, “Tteokbokki Rollerwa.” Vendors include Daegu’s “Sincheon Emperor Tteokbokki” and “Sincham Tteokbokki,” Seoul’s “Geummiok,” Busan’s “Sinchon Perilla Leaf Tteokbokki,” and Jeju’s “Myeongrang Snack,” allowing for a nationwide gourmet tour.

Wonju City will host the 2025 Wonju Dumpling Festival (October 24-26) in the Jungang-dong Traditional Market area. The festival grounds will include a main stage, dumpling booth zone, handmade dumpling sales zone, culture and arts experience zone, flea market, and youth market. Over three days, a variety of programs such as live cooking shows, dumpling cooking classes, dumpling contests, and dumpling-making experiences will be available for all ages. On the final day, October 26, a live cooking show by Chef Lee Yeonbok, the festival’s promotional ambassador, will serve as the grand finale.

The 21st Hoengseong Hanwoo Festival opened on the 22nd at the Seomgang Riverside area in Hoengseong County, with the festival grounds bustling with visitors. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

▲Hanwoo in Ulsan and Hoengseong... Wine in Daejeon, Jeotgal in Ganggyeong

The 21st Hoengseong Hanwoo Festival (October 22-26) is being held at the Seomgang Riverside area in Hoengseong County, featuring 15 programs themed around food, culture, arts, and hands-on experiences. The festival’s signature food event, the Hoengseong Hanwoo Grill, includes participation from all three local livestock organizations (Hoengseong Hanwoo Nonghyup Distribution Business Group, Hoengseong Livestock Cooperative, and Hoengseong Hanwoo Cooperative). Through the local food zone, F&B zone, and performances by local arts groups, more than 600 local residents are expected to participate, with the sale of Hoengseong’s agricultural specialties and local cuisine aimed at boosting the local economy.

Photo material from Ulju-gun Bonggye Hanwoo Bulgogi Festival. Ulju-gun Office

The Hanwoo Bulgogi Festival (October 24-26), the signature food event of Ulju County in Ulsan, will be held in Bonggye-ri, Dudong-myeon, the only designated Hanwoo Bulgogi Special Zone in the country. Family visitors can enjoy various activities such as making Bonggye Hanwoo burgers, crafting calf keyrings, a wine booth, flea market, food trucks, and photo zones. Unique programs exclusive to the festival, such as “Send You (Beef)” (Hanwoo delivery service) and “Drive You (Beef)” (designated driver collaboration service), will also be introduced for visitor convenience.

Dangjin City in South Chungcheong Province will hold the “Korea Hanwoo Day Surprise Hanwoo Discount Event” at the Sapgyocheon Dance & Music Festival site from October 24 to 26, and the “Hanwoo Festival with Myeoncheon Eupseong” at the Myeoncheon Eupseong Festival site on November 1 and 2. There will be booths offering up to 30% discounts and a grill zone where visitors can taste Hanwoo purchased on-site. On October 25-26, those who purchase more than 25,000 won worth of domestic seafood at Sapgyoho Seafood Market, Jang-gohang Seafood Distribution Center, or Hanjin Port Fish Market will receive a 5,000 won Dangjin Love Gift Certificate, and those who purchase more than 50,000 won will receive a 10,000 won certificate.

The 2025 Ganggyeong Jeotgal Festival (October 23-26) will take place at Geumgang Riverside Park in Ganggyeong. Centered on Ganggyeong Jeotgal, a specialty of Nonsan, and Sangwol sweet potatoes, the festival is designed as an interactive and experiential gourmet event. The Global Ganggyeong Jeotgal Kimjang Festa 2025, the festival’s core program, will feature events such as making kimchi with jeotgal, kimjang experiences, the Ganggyeong Jeotgal Korean Food Battle, and family kimchi dining, providing a platform for kimjang culture exchange that transcends generations and nationalities.

Last year's Jeonju Bibimbap Festival scene. Jeonju City

▲Jeonju Bibimbap vs. Daejeon Wine vs. Gangchon Bread

Jeonju City in North Jeolla Province will host the 2025 Jeonju Bibimbap Festival (October 24-26) at the Jeonju World Cup Stadium area. The festival will feature 21 bibim menus and is organized as a comprehensive cultural and artistic event to delight all five senses. A large-scale “bibim performance” will be held to wish for the successful bid for the 2036 Summer Olympics, with 21 local organizations and restaurants participating in the retro bibimbap street, bibimbap parade, and mini-Olympic challenges. Additionally, on October 24 and 25, the 3rd Hansabal Makgeolli Festival will take place at the Sinjungang Market area, where visitors can sample local makgeolli and a variety of side dishes. At the makgeolli booths, any three bottles can be purchased for 10,000 won, and food booths will offer a plate of food for 10,000 won.

The Daejeon International Wine Expo (October 19-26) is being held at Exhibition Halls 1 and 2 of the Daejeon Convention Center, as well as Hanbit Tower, Expo Bridge, and Expo Citizen Plaza. More than 3,200 types of wine from 35 countries are being showcased. The International Wine & Spirits Fair (October 24-26) features 264 companies from 18 countries with 298 booths. Visitors can sample and purchase representative wines and spirits from each country. In the “Grand Tasting Zone” for visitors, about 2,000 varieties of wine are available for unlimited tasting.

The “Forest Bread Market” (October 25-26) will be held at Elysian Gangchon Resort in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province. Although more than 100 bakeries and small business brands from across the country and the Gangwon region applied to participate, registration has already closed due to high demand and interest. Cheongju City will host the 2025 Cheongju Gourmet & Liquor Festa (October 24-25) at the lawn plaza of the Culture Factory. During the festival, programs include demonstrations and tastings of “Cheongju Table” developed dishes, traditional sauce making, and a samgyeopsal grilling event on a 20-meter-long grill.